User-created list
Strong Yet Unusual Names for Boys
Across 18 pages
of 18
Caradoc
Welsh
"amiable, beloved"
Derived from the name Caradog, the handsome ancient Celtic name was worn by one of the Knights of the Round Table, as well as a semi-legendary Welsh King. Possibly a cognate of Cedric and Carys,…
Carlisle
English
"from the walled city"
This stuffy English surname and hotel name took on Twilight cool when attached to vampire Carlisle Cullen. Inspired by the character, it's more popular in this spelling than as Carlyle and more…
Carlow
Irish place-name
"four-part lake"
Gives Carlo a place-name/surname spin.
Casimiro
Spanish form of Casimir, Polish and Slavic
"destroyer of peace"
All names Cas are cool right night, from Cassius to Cassian to Caspian to, yes, Casimir and its Latin form Casimiro. An attractive possibility in this appealing group.
Cassander
Greek
"light of man"
Cassander is the masculine form of Cassandra, and the name of an ancient king of Macedon from the 3rd century BC. It could make a nice alternative to Alexander or a refreshing way to honour a female…
Cassio
Italian variation of Cassius
"hollow"
Cassio is a notable Shakespearean name that's a member of the ever-more-popular Cassius family of names. Cassio was Othello's young, good-looking, and flirtatious lieutenant.
Cathal
Irish
"battle rule"
The name of an ancient Irish saint is in the contemporary Irish Top 50. While it's one of the rare Irish names for boys that hasn't immigrated to the U.S., it may follow brothers Aidan and Declan to…
Catullus
Latin, meaning unknown
Bearded, fusty name of great old Roman lyric poet; just what the bold vanguard baby namer might be looking for.
Cavan
Irish place-name
"hollow"
Anglicized spelling of a county in Ireland, sometimes considered a variation of the Breton Kavan or of Kevin. Depending on your viewpoint, may make a fresh Kevin substitute or a choice that will…
Cavanaugh
Irish
"born handsome or son of Caomhan "
Pleasant Irish last name that could be a more masculine alternative to the overused Cassidy. Early kings of Leinster bore the name, which relates to the first name Caomhan or Kevin and can also be…
Chaplin
English and French surname
"clergyman of a chapel"
Chaplin carries two very distinctive images: the beloved Little Tramp and a minister, often to the military. It was the baby-name choice of Ever Carridine in 2010.
Cian
Irish
"ancient"
A handsome Irish name for boys, very popular in that country, but in the US this traditional spelling might cause pronunciation problems. Still, whether Cian or Kian, it's simple and straightforward…
Cielo
Italian
"sky"
Expansive, sunny Italian word name.
Claudio
Italian, Spanish
"lame; enclosure"
Claudio, a most appealing Italian name, is featured in not one, but two Shakespearean plays, , Measure for Measure and Much Ado About Nothing . While "lame" is the most widely acknowledged meaning,…
Claudius
Latin
"lame; enclosure"
Claudius is one of the most user-friendly of the ancient Roman names – even though it's associated with the villainous character in Shakespeare's Hamlet . But as with feminine form Claudia, the…
Coltrane
Irish surname
"descendant of Coltarán"
The great sax player John Coltrane could be a cool naming inspiration for a jazz fan. Plus, it gives you stylish nickname Colt, if you didn't love Colton or Colter. From it's Irish roots, it means…
Conal
Irish
"strong as a wolf"
If there are too many Connors in your neighborhood, this name is equally authentic and much more unusual. Spelled Conal or Conall, it's a prominent name in Irish history, borne by a number of kings…
Connolly
Irish
"fierce as a hound"
Connolly, an alternate spelling of Connelly, could make a livelier and less common substitute for Connor.
Conroy
Irish
"hound (or wolf) of the plain"
Conroy is one Con name that feels a bit dated, though perhaps it's so far out it's coming in? Worth consideration if you like Connor but feel it's too widely used.
Corcoran
Irish
"ruddy-faced"
Corky was a sitcom moniker of the fifties, Corcoran a better fit for these times.